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Developmental care in neonates with heart disease: A narrative review
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Zahra Jafari1   , Atefeh Shamsi *2 |
1- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences., Tehran, Iran
2- Nursing Care Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Nursing, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences,, Tehran, Iran , atefeh13500@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (1 Views) |
Abstract
Aim. The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence on the impact of different components of developmental care on physiological, nutritional, behavioral, and family outcomes of infants with heart disease and to identify the challenges of implementing this care in cardiac intensive care units.
Background. Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital anomaly in newborns, and affected infants, especially those undergoing open-heart surgery and prolonged hospitalization in the cardiac intensive care unit, are at significant risk of neurodevelopmental delays. Developmental care has been proposed as a family-centered approach to reduce environmental stress and support infant brain development in this high-risk population, but its implementation in neonatal cardiac unit remains challenging and limited.
Method. In this narrative review, 15 research and review articles published between 2016 and 2025 that directly addressed developmental care, neurobehavioral outcomes, and family involvement in infants with heart disease were screened and analyzed.
Findings. Findings were categorized into four main areas: 1) the role of developmental care in hemodynamic stability and reduction of mechanical ventilation duration, 2) the effectiveness of interventions on feeding patterns and weight gain, 3) the role of parental involvement and Kangaroo care in reducing stress and improving behavioral scores, and 4) barriers to implementing developmental care in cardiac intensive care units, including lack of training, resources, and competing clinical priorities.
Conclusion. The available evidence, although mainly derived from observational and qualitative studies with limited sample sizes, fairly uniformly supports the positive impact of developmental care on short-term outcomes in infants with heart disease. The development of standard clinical guidelines, training of nursing staff, and active family participation are among the main priorities for improving this care in the future. |
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| Keywords: Developmental care, Congenital heart disease, Newborn, Kangaroo care, Neurodevelopmental development, Cardiac intensive care unit |
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Full-Text [PDF 947 kb]
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: Applicable |
Subject:
Family-centered care
Received: 2026/10/06 | Accepted: 2025/03/21 | Published: 2026/10/06 | ePublished: 2026/10/06
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